Problem description
As delivery Engineers, there have been situations where we forget the console password set on equipment and need to look for a solution to resolve this problem when we cannot also access the device in the network from distance (telnet). It is important that we find a way to reset this password so that we can have access to the prompt of the router to continue configuration tasks.
Handling Process
Before using this process, we should be clear about the following 3 key points.
1. The procedure clears the configuration on the device in order to clear the password.
2. The procedure works only with ATN having a system control board.
3. For the device equipped with both Active and Standby Control Boards, the procedure will be performed on both system boards.
Below is a step-by-step procedure to handle this but before the steps, it is good to have a view of the system control board on the ATN.
Our main focus will be on the DIP Switch on the system control board.
To clear the password, follow strictly the steps below :
STEP 1 : Power off the ATN device before you start any operation on it.
STEP 2 : Wear antistatic gloves, and use a screw-driver to unscrew the screws holding the control board (s). Gently then use the clippers at the edges to pull out the board(s) and make sure it is placed on an antistatic paper.
STEP 3 : Set the DIP switches 1 to 4 on the system control board (s) to 1, 1, 0 and 1 respectively. This makes the device to clear the configuration files every time it restarts.
STEP 4 : Install the removed system control board (s), screw them with a screw-driver and power on the ATN device. When the device starts, it identifies the status of the DIP switches and clears the configuration files onto it. In this way, the password is also cleared. Wait for 5 minutes to ensure this step is completed and password is cleared.
STEP 5 : After 5 minutes, power off the ATN and remove the system control board (s).
STEP 6 : Set the DIP switches 1 to 4 all to 0. This will ensure the device does not clear its configuration every time it restarts.
STEP 7: Install the removed system control board (s) and power on. The default settings of the device are restored.
STEP 8 : . Use the ATN Console cable to get access to the prompt. You can now configure the device from scratch.
